Ongoing Local Grants Abstracts

The following provides information on ongoing MEPI local grant projects throughout RO Abu Dhabi region of coverage.

BAHRAIN

The Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS): “Regional Training of Trainers on women rights” - The Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) in cooperation with the Jordan-based Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) will conduct a two-phased Training of Trainers (TOT) program on women's rights for 15 male and female participants from nine Arab countries.  Phase 1 will be a class work during in which participants will learn about human rights, mechanisms of international protection of human rights, campaign management, and gender and equality in human rights.  The class work will take place in Bahrain. In the second phase, participants will learn how to conduct presentations in front of a live audience at different locations in Jordan and will receive feedback from the trainers as to how to improve their teaching skills.

Bahrain Youth Forum Society: “Bahrain Online Youth Radio Station” - The Bahrain Youth Forum Society is establishing an online radio station to promote civic activism among youth, create a forum for youth to freely discuss national issues affecting their lives and the role of women in their communities, and to highlight success stories of young entrepreneurs.  Through a seven-week training program on online broadcasting for 20 journalism students from the University of Bahrain, MEPI-funded local grant project  aims to increase levels of youth activism and civic participation in selected issues in a youth-targeted environment. The radio station will also provide an opportunity for youth to learn about programs available to them from different sectors in Bahrain. The station will feature programs on school life, marginalized people, health issues, youth debates, youth-run activities, women's empowerment, career counseling, and other youth-targeted issues.   The radio station will be promoted through a public press conference and through Bahrain’s online communities such as Facebook, MySpace, and the blogosphere.

Mayasem Communications: “Empowering Women Candidates for the 2010 Bahraini Parliamentary Elections” - Despite a number of female candidates having run in the 2002 and 2006 Bahraini parliamentary elections, only one managed to win a seat in the elected lower house.   According to Mayasem Communications, one of the reasons for this is that women candidates in Bahrain generally lack the necessary expertise and experience in strategic planning, when it comes to running for office and in organizing professional electoral campaigns.  This MEPI-funded local grant project will address effective electoral campaign models for Bahrain to equip potential female candidates with the tools needed in preparing themselves for the 2010 elections. Fifty representatives of civil, political and women’s organizations will attend a two-day workshop by an international expert to develop an action plan and best practices for promoting women’s participation. This will be followed by a 3-day political campaign training workshop for 50 women that will conclude with written operational guidelines and communications strategic action plans in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Business Care: “Operating for Impact:  Improving the Efficacy of CSOs in Bahrain” – Some Bahraini Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) demonstrate effective civic advocacy and activism, but most have limited capacity, membership, and impact.  Through this project, Business Care’s local trainers will first receive training on effective CSO operations, and then will help deliver training to 18 selected CSO representatives through a series of workshops.  Training will address topics such as membership and mission, volunteer work, operation and collaboration, and project management.  In consultation with an international expert and Business Care trainers, participants will produce and implement action plans, and generate a “Bahrain Civil Society Best Practices Guidebook” for every registered CSO in Bahrain.  

Barefoot Workshops: “Affecting Public Awareness and Opinion with Video Messaging” - Barefoot Workshops and local partner Smart Coaching will give participant groups in Bahrain the ability to convey messages to the public through quality “public service announcement” (PSA), video messages, which can be disseminated via television, the Internet, and mobile phones.  Fourteen representatives of seven selected CSOs in Bahrain (each working in issue areas relevant to democratic development) will participate in an in-depth, three-week training workshop in Bahrain. Each participant CSO will produce and disseminate an actual PSA video addressing an issue of concern to their organization.  Participants will demonstrate their ability to generate future PSAs independently by producing a second PSA with limited consultation and support.  Meanwhile, Smart Coaching representatives will acquire skills and equipment they can apply to support local civil society PSA-making and to provide instruction to Smart Coaching students after the workshop.   

Bahrain’ s Lawyers Association and Bahrain Journalists Association:“Training Journalists on Reporting Trafficking in Persons Issues”- Bahrain faced serious criticism after it was downgraded for not doing enough to fight Trafficking-In-Persons (TIP). Recently, the Government of Bahrain issued a law to specifically outlaw human trafficking. Through this program, Bahraini journalists and lawyers will be equipped with the necessary professional skills to investigate human rights violations, specifically those that involve trafficking victims.  In addition to improving public awareness about the implications and consequences of TIP, the program will also empower the press to assume an active role as a watchdog to ensure the government’s positive legislation will be translated into actual progress against human trafficking.

Batelco Care Center for Family Violence Cases: “Training Program for Judges and Lawyers” - Domestic violence affects and damages whole families across all social classes. The affects are far-reaching - not only for the families concerned, but for society in general. Although there are some examples of good practices, Bahrain’s judicial system is in need of fundamental reform on the handling domestic violence cases. Shari’a court proceedings are extremely complex and women are vulnerable to individualistic interpretations of the Shari'a law by Bahrain's predominantly male judges. Without standardized rules of procedure for domestic violence cases, lawyers and judges are left to rely on often contradictory precedents when dealing with evidence, testimony, and verdicts. 

Through this project, 50 Shari’a and criminal lawyers, prosecutors, judges and police officers will improve their understanding of international standards of legislation and investigation of domestic violence cases. In addition, they will improve their ability to litigate these cases, become sensitized to concepts of victims’ rights, and become credible advocates for reforming local domestic violence law, ultimately strengthening rule of law and women’s rights in Bahrain.

Batelco Care Center for Family Violence Cases: “Documentary on Personal Status Law in Bahrain” - Currently Bahrain relies on Shari’a law with regards to marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance.  Family court judges render their judgments according to their own reading of Islamic jurisprudence.  In 2004, the Government of Bahrain signaled the first step towards creating a personal status law or the “family law,” when it created a drafting committee.  Since then, the bill has not moved beyond the drafting stage.  The family law agenda is frequently sidelined, often as a result of opposition from both Shi'a and Sunni religious leaders.  Opposition to the draft law generally stems from a lack of understanding of what it would encompass and the misconception that it would undermine religious values.  The main objective behind this project is to educate a wide cross-section of Bahraini society about the Personal Status Law. Moreover, Respected Sunni and Shi’a religious scholars and legal authorities will clarify that a personal status law would enhance, rather than replace, the principles of Shari’a law.

The Environmental Friends Society: “Activating Public Influence on the Revision of Bahrain’s Environmental and Natural Resources Laws” - The Environmental Friends Society (EFS), a Bahraini environmental NGO, will analyze and propose improvements to Bahrain’s existing environmental and natural resources laws as well as examine proposed amendments to these laws.  EFS also will implement an awareness campaign to broaden their advocacy efforts to a larger cross section of Bahraini civil society.  Through this project, Bahraini civil society organizations will effectively and positively influence public opinion, and evoke parliamentary and Shura Council action related with environmental and natural resource laws

Bahrain Journalists Association:  "Improving Press Reporting on Local and National Elections" - Accomplished U.S. journalists and journalism professors train journalists in Bahrain to effectively and ethically cover campaigns, candidates, and elections.  A follow-up phase trains journalists on covering the activities of parliament and parliamentarians.  Samples of pre and post workshop reporting are compiled and used as instructional tools.  The project produces a manual for distribution to all BJA members, and a journalist's code of ethics. 

JORDAN

Jordan Valley Center for Comprehensive Development: “Introducing Democracy and Human Rights themes among Teachers and Students in the Northern part of Jordan Valley” - Jordan Valley Center for Comprehensive Development (JVCCD), a civil society organization based in Jordan Valley, will implement a project to educate Jordanian students (ages 12-17) and educators from 16 schools about human rights and support their civic participation in the northern part of Jordan Valley, a remote and traditionally underserved community composed of small-scattered villages. The project will enable participants to become active players in civil society and introduce them to mechanisms which they can use to claim their rights as well as how to respect the human rights of others.

Jordan Center for Strategic Studies: “Examining Public Attitudes toward Parliament’s Role, Performance, and the Legislator-Constituent Relationship” - Polls conducted by the Jordan Center for Strategic Studies (JCSS) indicate that Jordanian citizens have very limited or no knowledge of the constitutional roles of Parliament, and judge it by its performance on policy issues that are typically the responsibility of the Executive Authority.  In addition, the level of civil society engagement in the Jordanian legislative process remains at a nascent stage. Through this project, the JCSS will conduct three public opinion polls: one measuring a national sample, the second, public opinion leaders, and the third, a sample of MPs.  The polls will assess the Jordanian public’s views of the performance of the current (15th)Parliament after one year in session, determine national issues of greatest concern to citizens and Parliament, and assess the level and nature of interaction between citizens and their elected representatives.  This will be done through the involvement of civil society activists who will raise public awareness of the role of Parliament and will present the surveys’ key findings and recommendations to members of the Jordanian Parliament.

The Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists: “Strengthening Youth Activism and Democracy Promotion through Media” - In an effort to empower a cadre of youth leaders that effectively engages and utilizes media for civic activism and democracy promotion, the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) will train a select group of 60 Jordanian youth, from 20 youth centers from Jordan, on democratic principles and, especially, the role of independent media in a democracy.  In addition to training and instruction, youth will be guided through hands-on opportunities to engage on democracy and youth-related issues via blogging, opinion-writing, radio interviews, presentations to civil society, and volunteering.   

The Musa Al Saket Cultural Center: “Student Activism through Student Councils” - Through student councils, students get involved in the affairs of their schools. Councils provide a mechanism for giving them a voice and for building a sense of ownership of the educational establishments they are part of. To activate the role of elected councils in Jordan and increase their efforts to engage students in school policy, the Musa Al Saket Cultural Center (MSCC) will assess the role and activities of student councils in Salt; develop a strategy for upgrading the performance and expanding the role of the student councils in the two pilot schools; organize courses on leadership, creating the Council’s charter, and campaigning; and prepare and circulate to the 16 remaining schools resource packets that build on their findings and offer models for good practice.   

The Northern Badia Forum for Culture and Development: “Turning Civic Education into Civic Activism: Northern Badia Women Engage Local Government” - The Northern Badia Forum for Culture and Development will strengthen the ability of 90 Jordanian women in the Badia region to participate in political life as well-informed, civic-minded constituents who seek action from their Local Council representatives on issues of local importance and hold them accountable for their response.   The project will targeted training on civic and political rights for leading members of 6 women’s associations, and the formation of a committee (drawn from those trainees) that will identify issues of concern to their local communities; facilitate public interest and input; lobby Municipal Councils to address identified concerns;  and monitor the response of their respective Local Council representatives.

West & East Center for Human Resources Development: “Volunteerism: Toward a Stronger Civil Society” - The West and East Center for Human Resources Development (We Center) in Jordan will cultivate awareness of Jordanian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the concept of volunteering as a fundamental building block of an effective civic organization. The project aims to demonstrate that volunteerism contributes to a vibrant civil society and encourages partnership among citizens and CSOs. The project will also enable CSO leadership to build a positive environment that values volunteer engagement and effectively recruits and manages volunteers.  The project will include a workshop to train 24 leaders from twelve key CSOs (on governorates' level, north, middle, and south) on how to create volunteer opportunities within their organizations for young people; best utilize the volunteers; and define the roles and responsibilities of volunteers. The project will also enable the targeted organizations to develop action plans and organizational structures to effectively engage volunteers as part of their core strategy and mission.

Human Forum for Women’s Rights: “United for Legal Equality: Women’s NGOs Advocate for Reform of Discriminatory Laws” - Gender discrimination in legislation is one of the biggest challenges facing Jordanian women’s political, economic and social empowerment. Many local women’s NGOs are only distantly aware of discriminatory laws and have not integrated this area into their advocacy work.  Through this project, the Human Forum for Women’s Rights (HFWR) will organize and lead implementation of a two-pronged strategy to reform discriminatory provisions that still exist within Jordanian law, such as the penal code, the social security law, the personal status law, and the retirement law.  First, representatives from 20 selected groups drawn from NGO members of the General Federation of Jordanian Women (GFJW) will be trained on contradictions between discriminatory Jordanian laws and Jordan’s international treaty obligations, and will formulate recommended reforms.  Second, a coalition of women’s groups will advocate for legislative and policy changes, and will seek broad public support for the recommended reforms to be implemented by Parliament and Ministries.

The Urdun Al Jadid Research Center: “Empowering Young Activists in Jordanian Civil Society” - Many civil society organizations include youth in their membership but do little to truly integrate them through engaging activities.  The Urdun Al Jadid Research Center (UJRC) will provide a select group of 80 young NGO members with the knowledge and skills necessary to become vitally involved in their organizations and to better appreciate the role of civil society in a democratic system and their role within it.  Members will participate in civic education workshops, research existing youth–related laws in need of reform, and discuss their findings with political and civil society leaders.  Participants would then develop a one year advocacy plan on 1 -3 public policy laws they deem most concerning to the Jordanian youth.  Finally, participants would hold outreach sessions to school and university students to encourage them to be active civil society members.

Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies: “Preparing Youth to be Active and Engaged Citizens” - As Jordan expands and strengthens its democratic systems, it will need citizens who are interested and able to seize the civic engagement opportunities vital to successful democracy.  To contribute to efforts to interest and prepare youth to be active and engaged citizens in a democratic system of governance, the Jordanian Center for Civic Education Studies (JCCES) will conduct a civic education program for at least 600 Jordanian students ages 12-16 (grade 6-10) in the southern region of Jordan.  Through this program, 20 teachers from 20 schools will be trained to deliver the “Project Citizen” civic education instruction and activities module.  Trained teachers will lead students in classroom and extra-curricular civic activism activities that allow them to experience democracy in action.  Students will identify and address issues of concern in their communities, participate in public service, volunteer, and participate in political processes in their local communities.  In addition to 20 teachers, JCCES will contribute to future Project Citizen instruction by compiling and providing an instructional best practices guide for participating schools and the Ministry of Education.

The Arab Foundation for Development of Citizenship: “Effective Use of Media by Civil Society Organizations” - The Arab Foundation for Development and Citizenship (AFDC) received a MEPI small grant to implement a project that will help Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) effectively utilize the media to build public support to their advocacy programs. The AFDC, in partnership with Media Voice Center in Amman, will contract with media specialists to research and analyze what factors in CSO-media interaction affect news coverage of CSO activities, and the challenges, weaknesses, and opportunities in CSO-media interactions. Based on the research, the specialists will produce a professional yet simplified guide for CSOs on how to craft media-oriented programs and how to best work with the media to effectively create public support for their activities. AFDC will disseminate the guide electronically, and conduct two workshops for at least 40 activists from 20 CSOs on how to use it.  CSOs will be from Amman and from other governorates.

National Council for Family Affairs: “Jordanian Civil Society Advocates Family Issues to Parliament” - In an effort to strengthen the relationship between Parliament and civil society, the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) in Jordan established a Resource Office to provide information and technical expertise to MPs, especially to the Family Committee recently established at the Upper House of Parliament, its future counterpart in the Lower House, as well as to other committees working on family affairs in the Parliament, including the Legal Committee.  Through this MEPI-funded small grant project, the Resource Office will develop the tools and know-how to ensure that legislators understand and support issues related to family affairs, so that these causes gain strength and credibility; create regular, ongoing mechanisms through which law-makers are kept abreast of community needs and the impact of policy and legislative decisions on constituents; and, defend existing rights of family members.

Amman Center for Human Rights Studies: “Advocacy Project for Freedom of Information Act” - The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) received a small MEPI grant to conduct two trainings for journalists and civil society leaders to discuss the limitations of Jordan’s Freedom of Information Act, and emphasize that an informed public is essential to the democratic process. ACHRS will establish two committees of journalists, legal experts, and civil society leaders; one to draft amendments to the law, and the other to develop and execute an advocacy action plan.

Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center through the Jordan Forum for Economic Development:  “Private Sector Partnership for Civic Activism” - Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center, through its Jordan Forum for Economic Development (JFED) will teach civil society organizations (CSOs) to more effectively seek private sector partnerships, and will expand the support that the private sector lends to CSO projects and programs.  Based on the results of a focus group meeting with Jordanian firms, 25 CSOS will receive training and instructional materials on how to effectively garner private sector partnerships.  At least 15 participant CSOs will then, with JFED assistance, draft and present project partnership proposals to Jordanian companies.  JFED will also montior the implementation of those project proposals which succeed in securing partnership and support.  Finally, the best five CSO-private sector partnership projects will be highlighted at a showcase event for a broader audience. 

KUWAIT

Hussein Abdulrahman Representing the Kuwait Journalists Association: “Seeking International Standards of Free Press Protections” - The new Press and Publications Law that was passed in Kuwait in 2006 contains vague wording that makes it possible for journalists and media outlets to be charged in criminal court for publishing material deemed to negatively impact such things as the “reputation” of the nation and/or government officials. The leadership and members of the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) feel strongly that in order to adequately address the problem, certain provisions of the law must be amended. In this three-phase project, participants will examine international legal standards for protecting freedom of the press; form a drafting committee to draft suggested amendment language necessary for Kuwaiti law to reflect these standards; and form an advocacy committee that will receive trai ning on how to garner public support for amendments and effectively lobby the Parliament and Government for their passage.

Jusoor Arabiya: “Empowering moderate GCC youth leaders and increasing their engagement in civil society” - Throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States, there is a cohort of politically moderate youth leaders whose voices and current activities compete directly and indirectly with extremist factions who contend for power and influence in the region. This MEPI local grant project aims at empowering and supporting, through training, the voice and actions of moderate youth leaders in the GCC region, and increasing their engagement in civil society. Through this project, Jusoor Arabiya, a Kuwait City-based leadership consultancy, and the International Youth Foundation (IYF), an international not-for-profit organization, will develop leadership skills of regional youth to productively engage them in civil society, business, and government. Youth leaders will learn how to develop their entrepreneurial vision, strengthen their technical leadership skills, and enrich their personal efficacy through expanding their networks and resources.

Zawaya: “Let’s Compete Over Citizenship”: A Civic Activism Campaign for Kuwait - Zawaya is a recently-established public relations and democracy advocacy firm based in Kuwait City and run by MEPI Alumni. Through the “Let’s Compete Over Citizenship” education campaign, Zawaya emphasizes and propagates the values of citizenship and civic participation in Kuwaiti society, especially among Kuwaiti youth, a traditionally under-served population. Zawaya will utilize the powerful tool of the media in all its different forms in the launch of a public awareness campaign. This campaign seeks to design creative and intelligent media material and messages advocating Kuwaiti youth’s positive civic engagement. Further, this MEPI local grant project will give participant youth the ability to convey messages through leaflets and quality "public service announcement" (PSA) video messages, which can be disseminated via television, the internet, and personal electronic devices.

Society for Study and Training in Leadership Development: “Kuwaiti Women Leadership Training” - The Society for Study and Training in Leadership Development develops women’s personal leadership potential in professional and civic settings. The project trains women to assume leadership roles in university, professional, and civic life.  A series of six training programs and dissemination of training materials culminate in a publicized event launching a new network of Kuwaiti women leaders. The Society for Study and Training in Leadership Development develops women’s personal leadership potential in professional and civic settings. The project trains women to assume leadership roles in university, professional, and civic life.  A series of six training programs and dissemination of training materials culminate in a publicized event launching a new network of Kuwaiti women leaders.  

OMAN

Omani Women’s Association: “Raise Omani women’s awareness of environmental issues” The project aims to raise Omani women’s awareness of environmental issues and empower them to identify local environmental problems in their respective regions of Oman and engage in environmental civic activism. In support of this goal, the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), a Muscat-based NGO will provide training and opportunities for women to meet and discuss environmental issues. Additionally, the project will promote Omani women’s participation in the decision making process and set a precedent of the public interacting with their elected officials as the women then convey their recommendations on environmental issues to the elected members of the Omani Shura Council. This MEPI-funded project will also provide opportunities for the first target group of Omani women to train women’s groups in neighboring regions to ensure the project’s sustainability. The project will be achieved through a partnership with the Oman Women’s Association (OWA).

Oman Association for Consumer Protection: "Building “Volunteer-Friendly” Civil Society Organizations" - Omani civil society organizations (CSOs) have demonstrated an interest and capacity for civic engagement and activism.  Despite their numerous efforts in volunteerism, there is still a great need for collaboration and coordination in defining the true objectives of volunteerism in Oman.  Through a MEPI-funded local grant, the Oman Association for Consumer Protection (OACP) seeks to introduce the concept of volunteering to Omani CSOs as a fundamental building block.  The first phase of the project will provide guidebooks and workshops for thirty CSO leaders on how to train and manage volunteers.  The second phase will engender a volunteer mentality in the Omani populace through an awareness campaign to recognize and reward volunteerism.

Oman Journalists Association: “Junior Journalist Workshop” -  Students in Oman lack awareness and interest in social, political, and economic issues.  There is also a shortage of young writers and a lack of interaction between civil society organizations and students.  The Junior Journalist project run by the Oman Journalist Association (OJA) will address these problems by teaching critical thinking and analytical writing to Omani journalism students.  This program will offer two, one-week intensive training workshops for 50 students on effective journalism, investigative reporting, and media journalism. At the end of the course, students will submit their best articles about local issues into a contest.  The OJA will choose the best articles to publish in a national newspaper.  Participating students will then make presentations on analytical thinking and journalism’s accountability, to their classes upon returning to school.

Dar Al Atta:“Developing Entrepreneurship for Low Income Women” - Low-income women in Oman rely heavily on small-scale and home-based micro-enterprises for their family livelihood. With a population where 50% is under the age of 15, Oman needs more entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs for the rising generation.  Dar Al Atta will train and inspire Omani micro-entrepreneurs stabilize and grow their businesses by developing their entrepreneurial skills and fostering their economic independence. Additionally, 10 local guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences and act as a role models to whom the participants can relate.

SEEB Women Association: “Strengthening Legal Awareness in Oman”

- Public awareness is critical to accountable governance and dynamic societies.  Due to the lack of awareness on legal issues among women in the Sultanate, Seeb Women’s Association (SWA) will organize activities to provide necessary legal knowledge to Omani women working in the public and private sectors, as well as promote awareness of empowering women within the society.

- Low-income women in Oman rely heavily on small-scale and home-based micro-enterprises for their family livelihood. With a population where 50% is under the age of 15, Oman needs more entrepreneurs to start businesses and create jobs for the rising generation.  Dar Al Atta will train and inspire Omani micro-entrepreneurs stabilize and grow their businesses by developing their entrepreneurial skills and fostering their economic independence. Additionally, 10 local guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences and act as a role models to whom the participants can relate.

- Public awareness is critical to accountable governance and dynamic societies.  Due to the lack of awareness on legal issues among women in the Sultanate, Seeb Women’s Association (SWA) will organize activities to provide necessary legal knowledge to Omani women working in the public and private sectors, as well as promote awareness of empowering women within the society.

This project, Strengthening Legal Awareness in Oman, will build on previous SWA activities by reaching a wider audience and educating women on their legal rights. In addition to raising public awareness of women’s legal rights in Oman, the project will increase the depth of advocacy skills and techniques for 50 Omani women activists.

Dr. Rashed Al Balushi: “Strengthening Labor Protections and Rule of Law: Labor Rights Guides for Judges and Workers” - Oman has in recent years made remarkable legislative changes to improve labor rights and practices.  Nevertheless, continuous efforts are needed to raise awareness and provide guidance to both the judicial sector and the labor sector. Through this project, Omani law experts professor will develop a Practical Judicial Guide (PJG) for Omani judges to use as reference and guidance in labor-related trials, and an Employment Rights Brochure (ERB) to help ensure that the working public and the unions, associations, and lawyers that represent them are aware of key laws, regulations, and procedures to help them secure respect for their labor rights.  To develop the PJG and ERB, the experts initiate outreach and consultation meetings with officials from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Legal Affairs (MOLA), and with key judicial officials, labor/employee groups, business organizations, attorneys, and legal academics.

QATAR

Qatar Media Services: “Advancing Qatari Women in Media” - Through this project, Qatar Institution for Media Services (QMS) will train female media professionals to improve their abilities and expand their participation in the media industry.  150-200 participants (journalists, editors, trainers, media professionals, and activists) will attend a series of workshops on societal, traditional, and religious views of women in journalism, and the role of Qatari media in supporting and advancing women participation. QMS will draft and present an “action plan” to the Majlis as-Shura, government and media agencies, requesting specific actions to strengthen women’s participation in the media industry.  In addition to developing a stronger public support for women participation, the first Qatari Journalists Assembly will be created to strengthen the role of Qatari women in the democratic process through the development of strategies to eliminate the obstacles that hinder their participation.

Dr. Kaltham Al Ghanem: “Civic Activism for Labor Reform: Advocacy to Uphold and Improve Qatar’s Labor Laws” - Much of the vast population of foreign workers in Qatar encounters labor practices and conditions that are not in keeping with international standards.  However, foreign workers have little recourse for improving their conditions, and the Qatari public is largely unaware or unconcerned with labor conditions that contravene Qatari law or international standards.  Through this project, international experts will examine and report deficiencies, make recommendations to address them, and then provide training and support to a volunteer coalition of civil society, academic, labor, and private sector leaders to win government and public support for needed improvements.  The coalition’s advocacy efforts will seek improved compliance with existing laws and regulations, and legislative reforms necessary to meet international labor standards.

Abdul Rahman Al Najdi: “Qatari Youth Promote Democratic Engagement through Film” - Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Najdi, a renowned filmmaker and critique in Qatar, in conjunction with Al-Jisrah Club and Doha Youth Center, will give comprehensive, hands-on training to 10 young Qatari amateurs, resulting in their production of short films reflecting youth perspectives on specific national issues, or on the broader issue of the role of youth in their country’s democratic development.  The films will screened and discussed in a series of seminars, and will be posted on the internet where they will be the basis for an on-line discussion forum between youth and the film-makers.  The project will provide youth-made films that examine youth perspectives and issues, and public and web-based forums where youth can then engage in the thought, discussion, and examination of issues that the videos will trigger.  

The Childhood Cultural Center (CCC): “Student Parliaments in Action” - In ten Qatari schools, the Childhood Cultural Center (CCC) will establish and train Student Parliaments, train teachers to deliver democracy and human rights lessons in their classrooms, and teach principles of democracy and human rights to students and teachers. They will also train a cadre of 20 university-aged Qatari youth to work with student Parliamentarians as facilitators and mentors.  The CCC will be assisted by a Jordanian organization that has successfully implemented a similar MEPI-funded project in Jordan.

Moza Al Maliki Training & Consultation Center:   “Promoting Political Participation of Women in Qatari Society” - Moza Al Maliki Training and Consultation Center will educate 40 Qatari university women on democratic values and the importance of female political participation in a 4-week training course. Selected program participants will initiate and lead working groups and activities on these topics on campus, and participate in women get-out-the-vote efforts in Qatar ahead of 2007 parliamentary elections.

Arabic Cultural Center for Training and Consultancy: “Activation of Women’s Role in Democracy Consolidation and Realization of Supremacy of Law” - The Arabic Culture Center for Training and Consultancy seeks to educate Qatari women on the fundamental tenets of democracy; increase their awareness of their basic rights; motivate them to pursue these rights; get them engaged in political, economic and social activities; teach them to make strategic life decisions; and empower them to combat political and economic corruption.  The project will train a group of 30 selected Qatari women student and professional leaders over a 6-month period to become civic activists in one or more of the above issue areas.  

SAUDI ARABIA

“Writing for the Web Effectively” - This program aims to help Saudi writers master the skills needed for effective on-line writing. A total of 48 participants (24 men and 24 women) will build on basic and advanced knowledge of and experience with electronic research, formats, skills of electronic editing and creating credible information for dissemination.

“Writing Workshop for Women” - This program will offer a rare opportunity for Saudi women writers to receive training and advice from an international expert.  Following a training workshop on effective writing techniques and ethical standards, participant writers will draft and submit three articles applying lessons learned in the workshop.  A follow-up workshop will use the submitted articles as a basis for further instruction.  The program will conclude with the publication of a handbook that summarizes best practices, includes key training materials, and provides examples of the best five articles submitted by participants. 

“Literary Awareness and the Spirit of Volunteerism” in Saudi Arabia - Private sector philanthropic leaders will promote literary awareness and community spirit among Saudi youth through an essay contest. This program will provide Saudi youth with the opportunity to demonstrate their literary skills by writing essays centered on the theme of leadership and the spirit of volunteerism.  The ultimate goal of the project is to give 50 youth an opportunity to contemplate their role as community leaders, as well as how they will develop the spirit of volunteerism within themselves, among their peers, and in their community at large. 
 
King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women Organization: “Community Advocacy for Women and Girls” The King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women’s Organization promotes women's empowerment and girls education through training and advocacy efforts, in cooperation with other community organizations and institutions in Al Qassim.  Training and public awareness campaigns to address the high dropout rate of girls in secondary school, and the inequities and obstacles faced by women in the workplace and community.  Selected student participants will be trained as student trainers and funded by the King Abdulaziz Philanthropic Women Organization to conduct peer training and presentations at schools throughout the region.  

 

UAE 

General Women's Union (GWU): "Enabling Emirati women to understand their legal rights and personal status" - There is a wide segment of women in UAE who are ignorant of their rights and the mechanisms for demanding them. The UAE government is on a well-publicized “Emiratization” of the workforce campaign, both government and private sector. This has resulted in more Emirati women entering the workforce and a need for them to be aware of labor rights and laws. Recent studies indicate that Emirati women's legal cases are on the rise. Most of the legal work for women’s cases revolves around divorce, child custody and marriage-related issues. This MEPI-funded project proposal aims to empower Emirati women to understand their rights and increase their awareness of the current personal status law in the UAE, as issued in 2006 and its application. The high divorce rate in the UAE demands that women know their rights and the rights of their children. In addition, this project will train women on their legal rights under the recent labor and human resources laws.  
 
RAK Women’s College: “ Enhancing Leadership and Civic Awareness of the RAK Women’s College Student Council” - RAK Women’s College has an active and organized Student Council, which has a reputation for innovative ideas and designing events for the college community.  The council is seeking to further enhance its ability to manage and present a confident, professional, and democratically functioning women’s council that can better serve the college and the outside community, and promote awareness on key societal and environmental challenges. The Student Services Office at RAK Women’s College will implement leadership, capacity building and civic awareness training for 15 Student Council members, to increase efficiency of this active council in planning events, and in offering services to the community.  Trained council members will then spread awareness to the broader college community on an agreed-upon issue of importance to the UAE society in general and RAK in particular.

Dubai Men’s College: “Building Teacher and Student Leadership Academies” - Dr. Christine Coombe, English Faculty/Assessment Leader at the Dubai Men’s College (a post-secondary school in the UAE), will establish a UAE Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) with an initial training program to be conducted in the UAE during the 2008-9 academic year.  Once established, the TLA plans to work in establishing a Student Leadership Academy.  The TLA will focus on leadership training for 50 local English language teachers at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) of an institution and/or organization and encourage women to take up leadership roles at their respective schools.  TLA trainees will then go on to develop a planned student leadership academy.  This MEPI-funded local grant project covers the set-up of the first phase of the Student Leadership Academy.

RAK Men's College: “Students Examine the Role of the UAE Federal National Council in Public Policy” - Mr. Ray La Bonte, Dean of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Men’s College, will lead a project through which RAK students will compare legislative processes in the UAE and the U.S., and examine the role and function of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC).  Students will then turn to the issue of education development and reform in the UAE as public policy issue through which to develop an in-depth understanding of the actual and potential role of the FNC in a public policy issue.  The project will combine academic course work, meetings with FNC and government officials, and participation in a mock FNC meeting.  

Dr. Fatima Al-Sayegh: “Seeking Women’s Civic Activism in the UAE” - UAE women are making strides in the business world and gaining recognition for their efforts and accomplishments in the private sector.  Their impact in civil society, however, is neither comparable to their impact in business, nor comparable to the civic impact of women in many other countries in the region.  This project will help identify key causes of limited civic activism among Emirati women, and address them with efforts to expand women’s contributions to civil society.  UAE University Professor, Dr. Fatema Al Sayegh, with the assistance of a polling expert and student volunteers, will implement a poll examining the knowledge and attitudes of Emirati University and professional women toward civic activism and NGOs.  Her summary report and analysis of the polling data will be the basis of a public seminar, and will be incorporated into a workshop for selected women on how to found and operate new NGOs in the UAE. 

City of Hope/Blue Feathers Pictures: “Youth Engage in Anti-Trafficking Efforts”- Dubai-based Blue Feather Pictures, will produce a short feature documentary film about human trafficking.  The film will include interviews and narratives with experienced human rights activists, victims of human trafficking, and other experts on the subject. Through City of Hope network of contacts, copies of the film will be offered to Embassies/Consulates of countries of trafficking origin for distribution in their home countries.   

     

ELS Language Center:  "From Language Skills to Leadership Skills: Tools for Tomorrow's Leaders" -  This project will develop tomorrow’s leaders by encouraging the development of leadership skills, and raising awareness of and interest in civic engagement. The participants are high school seniors who have previously taken part in the MEPI-funded English Access Micro-scholarships Programs through ELS Language Centers. Having raised their English abilities, these 300 students will be invited to write a short essay on – “My Future as a Citizen and Leader in the UAE”. Ten winning students will receive additional English language instruction from ELS, together with communication and public speaking training and then the winning students will be interviewed for a chance to attend the MEPI Student Leaders Program. The culmination of this, will be an event where all ten students will give a presentation based on their essay, to which the press, MEPI Student Leader Alumni, current English Access Program students and the Alumni, teachers, students, parents and interested public officials will be invited to attend. The presentations will also be uploaded on to the ELS Virtual Access Club Website.  

YEMEN

Human Rights Information and Training Center: “Mobilizing Arab Citizen Journalists to Advocate for Human Rights” - The Sana’a based Human Rights Information and Training Center (HRITC) will develop a project which will train 30 Arab citizen journalists, from the Middle East region, on human rights and freedom of expression and online advocacy skills. The project will actively engage Arab citizen journalists in the local reform efforts in the Middle East and will establish a network of online advocates of human rights by producing and promoting educational content and projects.

Yemeni NGO ‘HOOD’: “Strengthen Advocacy, Defense of Human Rights, and Development of Leadership Skills among Civil Society Activists” - Through this grant project, Yemeni NGO, the National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedoms (aka. HOOD) will strengthen the capacities of 30 male and female civil society activists on advocacy on human rights. In addition to improving their skills in conducting human rights awareness campaigns in rural areas, participants will form a defense network to counter human rights violations.

ATHAR Foundation for Development: “Fighting Street Harassment of Women in Yemen” - With street harassment of women in Yemen growing at an alarming rate, ATHAR Foundation for Development is implementing a targeted project to educate Yemeni society about the gravity of the issue, mobilize key community members to speak out against this practice, and strengthen the implementation of existing laws and policies that condemn verbal and physical violence against women in public places. The project will include a study to establish baseline data on street harassment of women that will inform a campaign to change social attitudes and mindsets towards women's treatment in public places. The program will also empower victims with the requisite knowledge and tools to report harassment and pursue justice.

Civil Development Foundation: “Civic Education and Political Participation of Yemeni Youth” - The Civil Development Foundation (CDF) in Yemen will conduct a civic education program to engage at least 600 Yemeni high school students aged 16-18 (grade 10-12) in civic engagement opportunities vital to successful democracy.  The program is part of CDF’s and MEPI’s continuous efforts to interest and prepare youth to be active and engaged citizens in a democratic system of governance.  The program will target youth of both sexes and CDF will stress the importance of youth civic engagement and political participation.  To achieve these goals, CDF will first develop a civic education instruction and activities module using regional experts.  Through this program, 20 teachers from 15 schools will be trained to deliver the module.  Trained teachers will lead students in classroom and extra-curricular civic activism activities that allow them to experience democracy in action.  Students will identify and address issues of concern in their communities, participate in public service, volunteer, and participate in political processes in their local communities.  Yemeni secondary schools engaged in the program will be from Sana’a, Aden, Hadramawt, and Ta'izz.  CDF will produce a supplementary instructional best practices guide on how to teach the module based on lessons learned from this program. The guide and all educational materials will be available on the CDF Web site, and presented to the Ministry of Education for possible inclusion in the national civic education teaching methodology package.

Women Journalists Without Chains: “Awareness and Advocacy for Government Accountability Reform” - The Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) will provide influential Yemenis - including MPs, media, academics and civil society leaders - with expert knowledge and international perspectives on accountable governance and legislative frameworks that improve government accountability.  Selected participants will formulate draft legislative amendments and an advocacy plan.  Approximately 200 participants will attend a symposium on the role of international standards in promoting good governance and accountability, and will examine deficiencies and necessary modifications in Yemen’s legal system.  Three Action committees will be formed to draft a new accountability law, and draft proposed amendments to existing laws. The project will conclude with the formulation of a detailed advocacy action plan and a project proposal to implement effective legislative changes.

The Yemen Polling Center: “Human Rights NGOs in Yemen: Informed and Cooperative Action” - The project aims, through the Yemen Polling Center (YPC), to build the capacity of a select group of NGOs committed to the promotion of human rights to work cooperatively applying their newly-acquired expertise in a coalition advocacy campaign aimed at transforming public awareness on a specific issue into an advocacy role to press government to implement reforms.  Through workshops led by international experts, and a scientific poll conducted by YPC to assess public’s human rights awareness, participant NGOs will conduct an outreach and media campaign on an important human rights issue, thus strengthening their abilities to influence public opinion and decision makers in human rights policy improvement.

Social Democratic Forum: “Enhancing Women’s Political Participation and Candidacies” - Efforts to advance women’s political participation and leadership need to be better supported by Yemen’s primary political parties.  The Social Democratic Forum (SDF), with the assistance of international experts and the advise of stakeholders, will engage Yemen’s primary political parties in an examination of needs and strategies for strengthening women’s political participation; formulate, propose, and publicize specific actions requests to the parties’ leadership; and provide training to a cadre of existing women political party activists and leaders.  After a series of panel discussions and women political leadership workshops, SDF and selected project participants will participate in a radio program in each governorate and a nationally-broadcast television program to discuss their goals and objectives for women’s political participation, and the specific requests SDF made to the political parties.

Women Federation of Yemen – Abeen: “Supporting Women Political Participation in Yemen” - Through this project, the Women Federation of Yemen (WFY) and its partner organizations will pursue a two-pronged effort in Abeen, Ma’arib, and Shabwa to strengthen the viability of women candidates from those governorates in Yemen’s 2009 Parliamentary elections. First, to affect public opinion and support for electing women representatives, a series of targeted meetings and workshops will seek the support of local leaders and opinion-makers; including political party representatives, civil society activists, media professionals, tribal and community leaders, religious leaders and imams.  Second, with the assistance of an international expert, potential woman candidates from these three governorates will receive training on conducting election campaigns, communications, and utilizing the media.  To garner community support, WFY will involve the media in all project components, and will produce and post 3000 posters in the three governorates; urging public’s backing for women in Parliament.

Democracy School: “Parliamentary Monitoring and Legislative Advocacy: Yemeni Women Exercise Political Leadership” – This project is designed to strengthen the ability of Yemeni women to have an impact on public policy and legislative discourse, while increasing public focus on the role and actions of Parliament.  To strengthen a cadre of Yemeni women political leaders, the Democracy School will organize and provide assistance to 120 former women Parliamentary and Municipal Council candidates to establish and lead a parliamentary watchdog effort.  These women political leaders will receive resources, training, and consultation throughout this new effort to focus attention on Parliamentary action or inaction.  They will attend workshops on monitoring and lobbying parliament; public awareness, opinion, and action campaigns; and how to operate as an informal network. Participants will issue newsletters, conduct awareness seminars, and conduct campaigns calling for the Parliament and public’s support for specific legislative actions.

Democracy School: “Empowering Yemeni Youth Leaders through Civic Activism” – This project comprises a series of activities aimed at facilitating a process of civic engagement and political empowerment for young leaders, and demonstrating the potential for youth to help Yemen’s fledgling democracy meet the local challenges Yemenis face.  The Democracy School will inculcate in young leaders the values and concepts of effective democratic leadership and civic engagement.  Organized into twelve governorate teams, young leaders will be provided opportunities to identify specific reform needs, generate recommendations, raise public and youth awareness, and lobby Municipal Councilors and local leaders for the changes they seek.  70 Youth participants will be drawn from members of the Children’s Parliament of 2004 and 2006, in addition to 20 youth activist members of Yemeni NGOs. Outstanding participants will be invited to form a youth forum at the Democracy School.

Rehabilitation Center for Working Children: “Activism Against Abusive Child Labor” - This project aims to raise awareness and galvanize the opinion of key groups and the general public against abusive child labor practices.  While removal of children from the worst forms of child labor is an immediate objective, this project aims to instill in families and policy makers an understanding that the rights of children and the future of Yemen require valuing child education over child labor.  Through this project, the Rehabilitation Center for Working Children and the Capital Municipality will implement a two-phase project:  Phase one will implement a series of advocacy seminars for 4000 participants in four governorates, targeting specific groups and stakeholders.  Phase two will target the general public with a legal demonstration march and rally against child labor; a photo and video exhibition for government, civil society, media, college students, and the general public; and, the production and broadcasting of short video messages. 

Awam Institution for Development: “Countering Societal Attitudes that Discourage Women's Political Participation” - With the April 2009 national election in the background, this project aims to counter gender stereotypes and societal attitudes in Yemen, through a campaign that both challenges these attitudes and raises awareness of the importance of women's political participation.  The campaign will employ both audio and audiovisual tools; including a documentary film on women’s political participation and leadership, and a radio comedy sketch on societal attitudes toward women that inhibit their participation.  Sanaa University students will then participant in a competition to draw upon the documentary and the comedy sketch to convey a compelling message in a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) script.  The winning script writers will receive professional assistance producing actual PSAs to be disseminated via television, radio and the internet. 

Women's Media Forum: “Empowering Yemeni Women Journalists To Take up Human Rights Issues” - In Yemen, women journalists lack the knowledge of basic human rights, the journalistic skills to raise violations when they exist, and the skills to mount successful campaigns to shore up public support and defend their causes.   Through the Media Women Forum (MWF), the current project aims to raise awareness, deliver training and develop skills amongst a select group of 40 women journalists from the main Yemeni governorates to enable them to raise human rights criticisms and pressure the government for action through advocacy campaigns.  Participants will attend workshops on international human rights instruments, human rights reporting and investigative journalism, advocacy campaigns, and alternate media, and publish articles on a selected human rights issue of concern.  A group of outstanding participants will be selected to form a committee to train and advocate for women journalists in their coverage of human rights violations. 

Yemen Women Union: “Women Preachers Promote Yemeni Women's Political Rights” - While Islam treats women and men as moral equals, Muslim women remain challenged by social and cultural barriers that hinder their equal political participation, ostensibly in the name of religion.   Through this project, the Yemeni Women Union (YWU) will first train 10-15 women preachers from each of 10 governorates, raising their awareness about the importance of differentiating between religion and custom.  In the process, participants will explore women’s political rights under Islam and receive instruction on the principles of democracy and human rights.  Two women preachers from each group will then attend a 4-day forum together. 

The discussion forum will be facilitated by an international expert on the rights of women under Islam, and how they are affected by traditional views of women and gender roles and the applicability of democracy in Muslim societies.   The forum participatns will also receive one-day of training on internet research skills. The YWU will summarize the discussion sessions outlining both the material presented as well as participants' reactions to it.  These leading women preachers will then engage in further activities (including radio talks shows) to expand awareness of the results of the project to the general public.  

Arab Human Rights Foundation: "Women’s Rights Awareness Week for High School Boys" - Leading up to a declared "Women's Rights and Equality Awareness Week" in 20 boys high schools, the Arab Human Rights Foundation (AHRF) will train the schools' principals on women's rights and equality, drawing on the Quran, Sharia, Yemeni law, and International Standards.  During the training, principals will contribute ideas for the content of a brochure to be distributed to students, and a poster to be used on their schools’ campuses.  The trained principals will, with the support of an AHRF trainer, then provide training for all Social Studies teachers in their high schools.  During the declared "Women's Rights and Equality Awareness Week", the women's rights and equality posters will be hung all over school campuses and each trained teacher will deliver a one-hour lesson to all their students on women's rights and equality, and distribute the brochures.  All students will write an essay on women's rights and equality, as well. The winning student essay will be read to all the students in the high school, and forwarded to AHRF.  AHRF will compile the winning essays from all 20 high schools into a booklet and distribute them at a press event, where a few selected essay writers will be interviewed for radio, TV, and newspapers.  The best four of the 20 participating principals will be invited to contribute to the training of another 20 principals, and the process will be repeated in another 20 schools.

REGIONAL LOCAL GRANTS

Yemen Portal.net: “Free Flow of Information in the Arab World” -  YemenPortal.net, founded media professional Walid al-Saqaf, proposes to develop a regional portal that would be a comprehensive Arabic news and opinion aggregator. The proposed portal will retrieve, group, and index millions of news articles from news websites, blogs, and other online sources to empower Arab citizens with information from a variety of political backgrounds. Although the twenty four Arab countries have varied levels of socio-economic development, they have a common language and similar challenges such as a deficit in utilizing information and communications technologies to enhance access to information and freedom of expression. Such a deficit hinders Arab citizens’ ability to make informed decisions. This regional project is important because there is currently no single platform or website dedicated to providing headlines and summaries of news articles from websites and blogs from the Arab world.

Istanbul Kultur University: “Towards a Better Life: How to Improve the State of Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa” - In conjunction with the Global Political Trends Center at Istanbul Kultur University, the project will critically evaluate the state of democracy in the Middle East and North Africa, and will issue policy proposals on how to improve its prospects and sustainability. Experts will analyze the status quo, and will assess developments in six critical areas of democratic development: the judiciary, constitutional framework; parliamentary elections; political parties; civil society; and, the media. The project will include a baseline survey and workshops, and will conclude with a resource book on “How to Improve the State of Democracy in the Middle East and North Africa”.  The book will be authored by a network of regional civil society, judicial, and media experts.

Prof. Nadia Rahman - Zayed University: “Youth's Engagement through Digital Media” - Youth in the Gulf need a new outlet for expressing their thoughts and concerns, different from the conventional methods of public speaking and essay writing.  Technology tools are always appealing for the savvy youth, where creativity and innovation can be employed to deliver messages and spread awareness on issues of importance and interest to the society.  Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are an effective means of encouraging debate among youth, culminating community discussions and stirring up civic activism.  Nadia Rahman, Assistant Professor at Zayed University, will hold a ten-day digital media workshop for 10-15 students of the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University, and for 10-15 students mainly from Qatar University, on how to conceptualize, film, produce, and edit their own Public Service Announcement.  The produced PSAs will each carry an awareness message on a societal issue of concern for youth, and will be screened and evaluated by a panel of jury, and uploaded on YouTube.